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| J. PINK ASSOCIATES, INC.,
FINANCIAL ADVISORS
555 Taxter Rd. Suite 190
Elmsford, NY 10523
Ph... 914-524-7770
Fax. 914-524-7771
Weekly Market Review |
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| Greetings!
I hope your holidays were enjoyable. I feel rested, recharged and ready (if not eager) to tackle 2009. I would like to schedule some time with you to do a year end review/ New Year planning session. Please call my office so we can get this on our calendars as soon as practical. As always, if you have any questions regarding any of your investments or Insurance program, please feel free to call my office at your leisure.
Happy New Year.
Fondly,
John |
| Market Commentary
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The US stock market struggled at the beginning of January last year and never recovered, ultimately posting its worst performance in any calendar year since the 1930s. But 2009 has changed the storyline at least for now from 2008 as the S&P 500 stock index gained +3.2% last Friday, its first trading day of the year. Since hitting a bear market low in late November 2008, the S&P 500 has now gained +24.3% (total return) in the last 1 ½ months (source: BTN Research).
Treasury bond investors benefited last year from declining interest rates and from an influx of new bond buyers as frustrated stock investors sought safer ground. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note finished 2008 at 2.22%, its lowest year-end level in the last 50 years, pushing total returns on longer-term Treasuries to their best results since 1995 (source: Wall Street Journal).
Washington is back in business tomorrow (1/06/09) as the 111th session of Congress begins its 2-year run. Democrats will control the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House in 2009 for the first time since 1994 (source: BTN Research).
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| Notable Numbers for the Week: |
1. UP vs. DOWN - The split between "up" and "down" days for the S&P 500 over the last 50 years is 53% "up" and 47% "down." The split during calendar year 2008 was 50/50. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the US stock market (source: BTN Research).
2. NEARLY ALL - Only 26 stocks in the S&P 500 stock index (i.e., just 1 out of every 19 stocks) were up in calendar year 2008. 168 stocks in the index (or 1 out of every 3 stocks) fell by at least 50% during the year (source: NASD100.com).
3. BIG SWINGS - The S&P 500 had 28 trading days during calendar year 2008 that produced a gain or loss of at least 4% (i.e., the index's percentage change from consecutive trading days). In the previous 25 calendar years (i.e., 1983-2007), the S&P 500 had 28 trading days that produced a gain or loss of at least 4% (source: BTN Research).
4. RETIREMENT SAVINGS IN 2009 - The maximum elective employee deferral into an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan in 2009 is $16,500, up $1,000 from $15,500 in 2008. The $16,500 deferral amount does not include the $5,500 in "catch-up" deferrals that an individual age 50 or greater can contribute (source: IRS). |
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At J. Pink Associates, we do comprehensive financial planning and wealth management for families and small businesses by getting to know the unique details of your financial world and thoughtfully crafting a strategy to identify and support your goals.
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This material represents an assessment of the market and economic environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources. It is not guaranteed by NFP Securities, Inc. as to accuracy, does not purport to be complete and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions. It should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any investor. The indices mentioned are unmanaged and cannot be directly invested into. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the US stock market.
Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Securities, Inc. a Broker/ Dealer, Member FINRA/ SIPC and a Federally Registered Investment Advisor.
NFP Securities, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice
NFP Securities, Inc. Is not affiliated with J. Pink Associates, Inc., Financial Advisors
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